Energy News
ENERGY TECH
Breakthrough in heat-to-electricity conversion demonstrated in tungsten disilicide
illustration only
Breakthrough in heat-to-electricity conversion demonstrated in tungsten disilicide
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 27, 2024

Thermoelectric materials play a key role in energy efficiency, converting waste heat into electricity. These materials are particularly valuable in industrial and automotive settings, where engines generate significant waste heat, and they hold promise for portable power solutions in remote sensors and space applications.

Conventional thermoelectric devices rely on parallel thermoelectric materials, which produce voltage in the same direction as heat flow. While effective, these devices require multiple contact points to connect p-type and n-type materials, resulting in increased electrical resistance and power loss. Transverse thermoelectric devices, by contrast, generate electricity perpendicular to heat flow, reducing contact points and enhancing efficiency. Materials exhibiting axis-dependent conduction polarity (ADCP), such as goniopolar conductors, are ideal for such devices. However, direct demonstrations of the transverse thermoelectric effect (TTE) in such materials have been rare - until recently.

A research team led by Associate Professor Ryuji Okazaki from the Tokyo University of Science, along with collaborators from Saitama University, successfully demonstrated TTE in the semimetal tungsten disilicide (WSi2). "Transverse thermoelectric conversion is a phenomenon that is gaining attention as a new core technology for sensors capable of measuring temperature and heat flow. However, there are only a limited number of such materials, and no design guidelines have been established. This is the first direct demonstration of the transverse thermoelectric conversion in WSi2," said Prof. Okazaki. Their findings were published in the journal PRX Energy on November 13, 2024.

The team conducted extensive physical experiments and computer simulations to analyze the properties of WSi2. By measuring thermopower, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity along its crystallographic axes at low temperatures, they discovered that WSi2's ADCP arises from its unique electronic structure. This structure features mixed-dimensional Fermi surfaces, where electrons and holes occupy different dimensions, resulting in direction-specific conductivity that enables the TTE effect.

Further analysis revealed variability in conductivity due to imperfections in the crystal lattice structure, consistent with prior studies. Simulations based on first principles confirmed that these variations stem from differences in how charge carriers scatter. This insight provides a foundation for optimizing WSi2 for practical use in thermoelectric devices. The researchers demonstrated direct TTE generation in WSi2 by applying a temperature difference at a specific angle relative to its crystallographic axes, generating a perpendicular voltage.

"Our results indicate that WSi2 is a promising candidate for TTE-based devices. We hope this research will lead to the development of new sensors and the discovery of new transverse thermoelectric materials," Prof. Okazaki explained.

This study's findings pave the way for advanced thermoelectric materials that can efficiently convert heat into electricity, contributing to a more sustainable energy landscape.

Research Report:Transverse thermoelectric conversion in the mixed-dimensional semimetal WSi2

Related Links
Tokyo University of Science
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ENERGY TECH
Quantum-inspired design boosts efficiency of heat-to-electricity conversion
Houston TX (SPX) Nov 22, 2024
Researchers at Rice University have found a new way to improve a key element of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems, which convert heat into electricity via light. Using an unconventional approach inspired by quantum physics, Rice engineer Gururaj Naik and his team designed a thermal emitter that can deliver high efficiencies within practical design parameters. The research could inform the development of thermal-energy electrical storage, which holds promise as an affordable, grid-scale alternative ... read more

ENERGY TECH
Contentious COP29 deal casts doubt over climate plans

Ukraine says energy sector 'under massive enemy attack'

Developing nations slam 'paltry' $300 bn climate deal

Biden praises COP29 deal, vows US action despite Trump

ENERGY TECH
Breakthrough in heat-to-electricity conversion demonstrated in tungsten disilicide

A nonflammable battery to power a safer, decarbonized future

Quantum-inspired design boosts efficiency of heat-to-electricity conversion

Engineers develop additive for affordable renewable energy storage

ENERGY TECH
Baltic Sea wind farms impair Sweden's defence, says military

Sweden blocks 13 offshore wind farms over defence concerns

Sweden's defence concerned by planned offshore wind power

On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument

ENERGY TECH
MIT, Harvard and Mass General lead 408 MW green energy push

Stability of perovskite solar cells boosted with innovative protective layer

Using sunlight to recycle black plastics

The future of AI with solar-powered synaptic devices

ENERGY TECH
Serbia lifts moratorium on nuclear power

Cheers, angst as US nuclear plant Three Mile Island to reopen

Argonne evaluates small modular reactors for Ukraine's economic recovery

Framatome's PROtect fuel achieves key milestone at Gosgen Nuclear Plant in Switzerland

ENERGY TECH
Turning emissions into renewable methane fuel

Turning automotive engines into modular chemical plants to make green fuels

Sacred cow: coal-hungry India eyes bioenergy to cut carbon

Waste heat from London sewers eyed to warm UK parliament

ENERGY TECH
Iraq tries to stem influx of illegal foreign workers

Spin-powered crystals enable efficient hydrogen production

COP29 president blames rich countries for 'imperfect' deal

Concern as climate talks stalls on fossil fuels pledge

ENERGY TECH
At climate talks, painstaking diplomacy and then anger

Microbial solutions must be deployed against climate catastrophe

Main points of the $300 billion climate deal

UN Chief calls COP29 deal a 'foundation' amid fears of weak agreement

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.